We Speak Filmmakers

Celebrating Female Filmmakers On International Women’s Day With SheDoesFilmz

Published

1 year ago

March 5, 2024

Official film history often forgets about female directors, says Julie Des, the founder of SheDoesFilmz, a subscription service featuring solely female-directed films. She’s hoping to remedy that, and during the week of 4-11 March, new subscribers will get a 50% discount on annual membership, to mark International Women’s Day. Julie says: “For the price of two coffees a month, you can receive a regular, curated collection of female films selected by the best global festivals.”

The online platform, which features award-winning films from around the world, was set up in 2018 to highlight brilliant women in film. Julie says:

“SheDoesFilmz aims to build a community of film lovers who will help progress the search for past and current talent and bring these talented works to the world.”

According to a study in Slate magazine, women-directed films suffer from 67% lower distribution than other movies. Julie said: “This means women are making all these movies that are amazing and get to festivals, but then don’t get distributed. Part of our analysis is that some institutions go for easy picks, wanting to avoid topics that are too bold or female-focused. We are more interested in those – the movies that are a bit shocking, different.

“Many of our movies are about topics which you wouldn’t expect or you don’t usually see. As a society we have to actively work towards representation in all fields, but particularly in the arts and film. It’s work we’re proud to be leading!”

SheDoesFilmz shows a rotating collection of festival films directed by women, which can be hard to see elsewhere. Past gems include Nelly Kaplan’s iconic ‘nouvelle vague’ films. SheDoesFilmz selects movies from across all genres and Julie says she’s inspired by the “pure cinephile joy” of watching wonderful films:

“What a shame to ever have missed them! This is the real passion behind the platform – discovering and sharing incredible films.”

When asked to recommend a couple of films that are currently on the site, Julie mentions the Sundance Film Festival-winning documentary ‘Half The Picture’, which is, appropriately enough, about the gender gap in Hollywood. The movie features interviews with successful female directors, including Ava DuVernay, Lena Dunham, Jill Soloway, Rosanna Arquette and Gina Prince-Bythewood, asking them about their career paths, challenges and aims for the future.

**‘Half The Picture’** documentary poster

Another must-watch is ‘Microhabitat’, by South Korean director Jeon Go-woon. Julie says: “It’s a super-fun, quirky film about a thirty-something woman in Seoul who’s in love with whisky and cigarettes! It was a huge festival favourite, winning over 10 awards.” And Julie says that she’s looking forward to adding to new festival acclaimed Ecuadorian film about a prostitute seeking revenge, ‘La Mala Noche’ and Chinese festival favourite ‘Girls Always Happy’ about the symbiotic relationship between a mother and her daughter in Beijing.

To find out more about SheDoesFilmz and subscribe, visit: www.shedoesfilmz.com

Featured photo credit: AvaDuVernay, ‘Half The Picture’ documentary. Photo by Soraya Selene

We Speak Actors

Full-Figured Flings Teaser Nears 14K Views – Director of Photography Offers Special Father’s Day Release

Published

3 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

MJ Savino

Back 2 the Basics Production Management Group is proud to announce the official teaser premiere for FFF: Full-Figured Flings, a bold and unapologetic new film celebrating full-figured women and challenging the norms of beauty in Hollywood. Clocking in at just 46 seconds, the teaser doesn’t waste a moment, delivering a powerful visual and emotional punch that sets the tone for a project rooted in body positivity, size inclusivity, and cultural truth.

Premiering ahead of the 20th anniversary of Phat Girlz (2006), FFF serves as both homage and evolution. The film expands the conversation around colorism, sizeism, and shapeism, spotlighting women who have often been cast aside, sidelined, or silenced.

“This teaser is more than a preview—it’s a declaration,” said Lillie Mae Jones, creator and producer. “FFF is our love letter to the women who’ve never been centered but have always been essential. We’re not just telling stories—we’re shifting the lens.”

FFF: Full-Figured Flings is currently in development as a non-union independent production, with plans to release in 2026. The film invites audiences and allies to follow, support, and amplify the message through community engagement, open casting calls, and creative collaborations—including the launch of a nationwide call for a “Big Girl Anthem” to serve as the film’s official theme song.

Accept the Challenge…

The buzz is building fast around the highly anticipated full-figured fashion experience FFF, and now there’s a challenge on the table that fans won’t want to miss.

After racking up 11,000 views in less than 10 days, the official teaser video for FFF on YouTube is quickly gaining momentum. And now, the film’s Director of Photography, Dominique Perry, has thrown down a bold offer:

“If we hit 20,000 views before Saturday, June 14th, I’ll drop an exclusive second teaser on Father’s Day.”

This is more than a film—it’s a movement. FFF is a high-fashion, high-impact visual celebration of full-figured women taking a stand for representation, inclusion, and power on and off the runway.

Here’s how you can help make it happen: Watch the teaser now on YouTube. Like, comment, and subscribe. Share it with your community and post why YOU stand in solidarity with full-figured women

Watch here for a taste of the boldness, beauty, and energy